^Ha! My son would kill me if I logged into his facebook but I do love the photo books. I recently made one for a milestone birthday for one of my relatives. If you decide to do one, I highly recommend mixbook.com. I tried the online software from many different companies and chose mixbook because it offered so many options and had very intuitive and easy to use editing.
OF, why does it surprise you that there are things that people legitimately don’t like and would never wear?
Personally, I think the Hermes bracelet that you linked was very ugly but clearly others like it. To each his/her own.
A customized college scarf with her name and symbology for her major or her activities embroidered on it. She will have it forever.
Does she have a pinterest? That’s how I buy gifts for my daughters. Stay away from scarves, especially one with college name embroidered, sorry @JustOneDad. What about a Tory Burch, LV, or Kate Spade wallet or small cross body bag to use for going out? That’s what my boyfriend’s parents gave me upon my college graduation. We are in the same boat and have a daughter and her bf graduating. We plan to give them a weekend trip away somewhere special, and of course we will get a separate special gift for our daughter.
@oldfort - My comment is not as a personal attack on your taste hence my stating “nothing wrong with them” but a reflection on the fact that people have different tastes and its best to cater to the gift recipient’s tastes and interests as I am sure the OP intends to give a gift that is wanted and will be used, regardless of price. My daughter would not wear any item branded with a label. She’d consider anything Hermes “old lady” and old guard. Now, if you wanted to gift her some antique turquoise jewelry, she and her more bohemian and handcrafted style would be thrilled beyond belief. (She covets the turquoise jewelry in the Barnes) Five or ten years from now her taste may change, maybe not. There are many different takes on what is trendy and many different ideas on what represents formal. Thank goodness!
@coffeegal’s idea of looking at pinterest if she has one is a great idea to gauge her personal tastes and preferences.
I would no doubt give her a fabulous gift of a lovely restaurant for my S and her to celebrate alone or a few nights at a cool hotel in town or a few hours away.
I would definetely talk with S about what they would like.
Just saying, I never like other people’s choice of jewlery or scarfs or, really, anything for me. But I love outings and think you could, again talk to your S, give them a nice weekend away that they would not feel they could afford right now.
S and DIL will be here this weekend and we have told them that we will take care of G’Son and they should pick a wonderful and expensive dinner out as our gift. DIL was thrilled as they are so frugal…doubt they would have done much.
My D is a girly girl and is someone you could buy jewerly, handbags or scarfs for. She’s super picky about what I buy her but seems to be more forgiving about what her bf’s parents get her. Last year they bought her a fitbit (she’s into working out) and the year before a nice necklace.
My S’s gf on the other hand is not into girly things and her work is industrial so most of the things I would get for my D wouldn’t work for her. When I can’t think of anything I’ll do a nice restaurant gift card or an event. My S’s gf is also an only child so I know that’s hard when they have other people thinking of what to get her.
Someone (I think it might be mathmom) talks about giving chairs with the university name on it. I’ve always thought they were a unique special gift for a new college graduate.
How about a t- shirt quilt with t-shirts from college and high school? I also like the spa idea since she is probably stressed about not having a job yet.
I have to say no to the college scarf. You’re not going to wear it after college. You’ll look silly in your first job wearing it.
How do you give someone a t shirt quilt without going and cutting up all of their t shirts?? I would be pretty miffed and I wouldn’t display such a quilt.
How about an iPad or similar?
Luggage is the kind of thing people don’t but themselves. A nice carry-on bag and a gift card to a bed and breakfast or inn?
Just make sure whatever you decide is something that will sound good and be usable to HER. My girls would not make use of a scarf, jewelry would have to be of their taste, not mine. A handbag is pretty personal. A wallet - HUGELY personal for me! - would not want anyone else picking out my wallet! MAYBE a simple leather tote that could have many uses (work, travel, etc.) - but SIMPLE. Photo book is a great idea if you have the picture resources.
I agree. My ILs once gave me a monogrammed green Tumi briefcase. Tumi is nice, but this was an ugly shade of green and I couldn’t even return it. What a waste.
^^^ That’s just it. The only thing worse than getting a gift you don’t care for, is knowing it’s an expensive gift you won’t ever use.
Definitely know your audience. I don’t use a wallet at all, so would have no use for one. I don’t like and wouldn’t want leather products.
Thanks for the suggestions. I still don’t know what I will do. My son is no help-he calls me looking for ideas. She has an iPad, Kindle, latest iPhone, Go-Pro, etc. etc. Being the only child and only grandchild on both sides really has its perks! I want to do something personal that is just for her. She worked very hard, doing well in school and hours of waiting tables so she could graduate without debt. We both like food and cooking so I looked for cooking classes near her, but nothing fit my needs. I may look for a personal chef to do a private lesson or two and maybe some starter pieces of good cookware. It will blow my budget, but I’d rather do that than give her something she wouldn’t use. Some of the suggestions that won’t work for her (scarf, jewelry) will be perfect for my other son’s girlfriend who graduates next year!
I really love the idea of something indulgent for her like a spa day/massage/something along those lines. I think cooking stuff is a great idea too!
I think starter pieces of good cookware would be an awesome gift if she loves cooking - I would love it if someone bought me a Le Creuset dutch oven or something similar.
Does she enjoy wine? I know when I was just out of college wine was not in my budget. Perhaps a stone wine cooler and subscription to the Wine of the Month Club? Maybe with a couple of wine glasses engraved with her school logo and graduation year?
Why not ask her? Only awkward part is you have to reveal your budget.
I’d be inclined to go with a nice bag from Nordstrom, with explicit instructions to the recipient that she is to exchange it for whatever she likes, whether clothes, make up, shoes, or anything else, at Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack. I say Nordstrom because of their return policies and the availability of a bargain store that accepts Nordstrom credit. But perhaps a department store with a housewares department (like Bloomingdales) would be better, given her love of cooking. The key for me would be to make sure she understands that she is to exchange it for what she wants.